Page 166 of After the Burn

One man alone couldn’t possibly be strong enough to protect her. He might be harmed, killed, or separated from her.

Three was different.

Beck would step between Taryn and a bullet without hesitation. Lucas would do the same. And I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.

I’d proved it by my willingness to share her love with three other men.

Three men who would rather die than let the world take her.

And if one of us fell, two more would make damn sure she kept going.

But somewhere along the way, Beck and Lucas had stopped feeling like men I tolerated because Taryn needed them. They’d become mine, too. Brothers. Dysfunctional, foul-mouthed brothers who laughed at inappropriate things and encouraged Taryn to smile.

“We need someone inside.” Taryn insisted.

All three of us answered at once. “No!”

Taryn blinked, and Wren covered a laugh.

I rubbed my jaw. “I’m glad we agree.”

Taryn crossed her arms. “I haven’t even said who.”

Beck gave her a flat look. “You don’t need to.”

“Nobody else makes sense.” She turned back toward the compound. “We can watch this place for days and not know how many women are inside. Or where they keep weapons.”

I recognized she had a valid point, but my instincts strongly opposed risking her safety.

“They want you.” Lucas’s jaw tightened.

“I know.”

“I don’t think you do.” Beck’s face was thunderous.

Her expression turned cold. “I watched that man come out of the trailer, too, Beck.”

“She’s not stupid.” Wren narrowed her eyes at Beck.

“Thank you, Wren,” Taryn continued. “I’m not underestimating them. I know they’re enhanced and that they’ll search me, take my weapons, and restrain me.”

“And you still think it’s a smart move?” Lucas frowned.

“No.”

That surprised all of us.

Taryn’s eyes moved between us all. “I believe that it’s necessary.”

Slowly, I exhaled. “I hate you make sense.”

Was I really going to send the love of my life into that place? I knew better than most how capable she was, but this was almost more than I could bear. If I thought she’d go for it, we’d turn around right now and get the hell out of here. Lila was a good girl, but she wasn’t mine. And I’d sacrifice anyone or anything to keep Taryn alive.

“I’ll take her.” Wren adjusted the ever-present ball cap on her head.

Colson let out a growl of protest, but Wren shushed him.

“What?” Taryn frowned.